Canterbury City Council has announced proposals to build a football hub in the city by 2010.

The plans include the creation of a new permanent home for Canterbury City Football Club, including a new football pitch, spectator seating and club facilities, as well as five-a-side pitches, hospitality facilities and a health and fitness club.

The £5.4m plans are at a very early stage and the council is still contemplating a preferred site for the development.

“The council is looking into the risks involved in this venture that we are potentially entering into,” said David Ford, Canterbury City Council’s assistant head of culture and the man behind the project.

“We are very close to agreeing what the facility will do and there has been a lot of work with key partners beyond the club; the County Council, the county FA, and others.”

Ford said a delivery group has been established and that the council’s capital contribution towards the scheme is expected to be around £1m, with £3m coming from the private company operating and building the complex.